Shoe press last



Dec. 8, 1936. G. o. BAKER SHOE PRESS LAST Filed Aug. 29, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 8, 1936. G, O, BAKER 2,063,075

SHOE PRESS LAST Filed Aug. 29, 1934 4 sheets-sheet 2 l'//// IU l Dec. 8, 1936.

G. o. BAKER 2,063,075

SHOE PRES S LAST Filed Aug. 29, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet- 5' fluye/01 4.37. 7d/W y c? Ms Dec. s, 1936.

A G. Q. BAKER 2,063,075

SHOE PRES S- LAST Filed Aug. 29, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE SHOE PRESS LAST Guy O. Baker, Friend, Nebr.

Application August 29, 1934, Serial No. 741,943

15 Claims. (Cl. 12-12/4) Ihis invention relates to improvements in aption therewith means whereby pressure may be paratus used in attaching half soles to the lasted applied to the toe and ball portion of the sole inuppers of boots and shoes, and particularly to dependently of pressure as applied to the inthat class of apparatus such as is used for cestep portion of the sole, wherein the pressure 5 inenting the half sole to the lasted uppers. may be quite uniformly distributed over the en- 5 In this method of attaching half soles to the tire surface being cemented. lasted uppers of shoes it is essential that the A further object is to provide in a shoe press lasted upper and the inner surface of the hal having means whereby the last may be supported sole be roughened, after which the cement is in an inverted position and in connection thereapplied and allowed to partially dry, after which with an improved pressure applying means whichl 10 a solvent is applied to both of the coated suris so mounted that it may be swung from a posifaces so as to place the cement in a plastic and tion adjacent to the front end of the last and sticky condition so that the parts will adhere -moved to anA operative position over the last, and more rmly. in connection therewith improved means for ap- In applying the half sole to the lasted 'upper plying pressure to a sole supported on the lasted 15 by this method numerous diiculties arise, one upper of the shoe carried by the last, of which lies in the fact that the sole is liable A further object is to provide an improved to slip or skid at the time pressure is being apshoe last formed preferably of two longitudinal plied to the sole and while the drying process sections, each of the said sections being adapted takes place. The best results are obtainedwhen to be moved toward and from each other for 2O the pressure is sustained for a considerable length increasing or ydecreasing the width of the last, of time, usually in the neighborhood of twenty and each of said sections so constructed that it minutes. may be lengthened or shortened, and in connec- Another dii'culty lies in the fact that the soltion therewith improved means for mounting the vent used and also the cement dries very quickly, sections of the last wherein they will pivot about 25 and that it is necessary that the half sole be vertical axes to adapt the sections to tA shoes quickly and accurately placed in position on the having either pointed or blunt toes. lasted upper and that the half sole be firmly held A further object is to provide in connection in said position at the time pressure is being with a last of the type above described means applied. for supporting the instep portion of the sole, 30

Another difliculty lies in the fact that the last and in connection therewith means for adjustshould t the shoe accurately so that the presing the angle of the said instep support. sure may be applied uniformly around the edges My invention consists in the construction, aro-f the last so as to avoid yhigh and low spots in rangement and combination of the various parts the nished sole. For this reason it has hereof the device, whereby the objects contemplated 35 tofore been necessary for the workman to carry are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth,

a very large number of various sized and' shaped pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the lasts. Considerable time is also required on the accompanying drawings, in ywhich: part of the workman to select the proper last. It Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved shoe 40 is, therefore, one of the objects of my invention press showing the pressure member moved to 40 to provide in an apparatus of the class above and in operative position showing by `dotted lines described an adjustable last which may beI easily the manner in which the shoe is supported on the and quickly adjusted to t various sizes and last, and in solid lines means :for guiding and shapes of shoes. supporting the sole.

A further object of my invention is to provide Figure 2 is a top View of Figure 1 with the sole 45 in a shoe press adapted to cement shoe half support and guide removed. soles to the lasted uppers of shoes and boots Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line improved means for gripping and holding the 3 3 of Figure 2, with the pressure member sole while pressure is being applied to the sole. moved to operative position,

A further object of my invention is to pro- Figure 4 is a top view of Figure 3. 50 vide in a shoe press of the type above described Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken on the an improved pressure applying means whereby line 5 5 of Figure 3. pressure may be uniformly applied around the Figure 6 is a perspective View of the sole guide entire edge of the sole and also to the instep and support.

portionk of the sole, and to provide in connec- `Figure 7 is a perspective view o-f one of thelast 55 sections, said section having its cover plate removed and a portion of the last section being shown in section, with the toe member removed.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the toe member with its cover plate removed.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of said cover plate.

` Figure l is a detail sectional view taken on the line Ill-I0 of Figure '7.

Figure 1l is a detail sectional view taken on the line I i of Figure 4.

Figure 12 is an outside perspective view of one of the last sections.

In the drawings have used the reference numeral Il) to indicate a supporting base which is formed preferably of cast metal having a vertical guideway II and a notched portion |2. The guideway I is provided with a vertically movable slide bar I3. The forward edge of the slide bar has a series of ratchet teeth I4, designed to be engaged by a pawl I mounted in a suitable recess |6 in the forward edge of the support I0. The pawl I5 is fixed to a rock shaft by means of a set screw I 8, said rock shaft having one end bent rearwardly to form a handle portion I9. The back edge of the bar I3 is machined and designed to slidably support a rack bar 20, the upper end of which is designed to engage a shoulder 2| carried by the upper end of the bar I3, when the said rack bar is at its upper limit of movement, said rack bar also being slidably mounted in the guideway and designed to engage and be operated by a pinion 22 fixed to a shaft 23 rotatably mounted in the support l0.

One end of the shaft 23 is provided with a handle portion 24, by means of which the shaft 23 may be rocked. If the handle 24fis moved in a clockwise direction, as illustrated in Figure 3, then the rack bar 26 will be elevated until its upper end engages the stop 2|, at which time the bar I3 will be elevated and the pawl I5 will lock the said bar in said elevated position and against downward movement. If the handle 24 Vis then moved in a counter-clockwise direction the bar 20 will be lowered relative to the bar I3 without moving the said bar I3, for the purpose hereinafter made clear.

The upper end of the bar i3 is provided with a head 25-having a lug 26 at its central portion, and extending upwardly. The front end of the head 25 is also provided with a socket member 2`| and openings 28. Rotatively mounted in each of the openings 28 is a last supporting arm 29 having an upwardly extending portion 30. Carried by each of the members 3|! is a last section 3|, each of said sections representing half of the last as divided vertically and longitudinally. Each of said sections is pivotally mounted on the arm 29 so that the said sections may be set at various inclines, one relative to the other, to fit various shaped shoes, while each of the arms 29 is pivotally mounted in the head 25 to permit the seetions to be moved toward and from each other. The body portion 32 of each of the said sections is provided with an opening 33 (see Figure '7),

said openings being designed to receive the ends e.: thus tends to limit the outward The movement of the sections, at the same time assisting in preventing longitudinal movement of one section relative to the other, although this longitudinal movement is partially limited by the arms 29. The spring 35 is capable of being flattened so that the said sections may be moved very close together to t comparatively narrow shoes.

It is also very desirable that the length of the last be adjusted as Well as its width. The adn justment of the length of the last is accomplished by forming a rabbet 3l' in the upper surface of the body member 32, so that an elevated portion 38 will be formed at the rear end of the last, which I shall term the ball portion 0f the last. The outer edge of the top surface of the body is curved at 39 to form a pointed end 40. The surface 37 is provided with a groove 4|, in which is mounted a spring 42, the forward end of which is fixed inv the groove by means of a pin 43.

The back end of the ball portion 38 is formed somewhat conical, as illustrated in Figure l0, the forward edge of the conical surface being in line with the top edge of the toe member hereinafter described, so 'that the entire upper surface of the last section will incline downwardly and outwardly. The body 32 is provided with an annular groove 44, having a common center with the center of the conical surface above described, the inner edge of said groove forming a part of said corneal surface and designated by the numeral 45. (See Figure The said groove 44 is provided with a curved latch bar 46 designed to fit said groove and sup'- ported by a plate 46a pivoted to the member 32 by means of a screw 46h. The outer end of the member 46 terminates in a rearwardly extending member 41 that I shall term as the shank support, the upper surface of the member 4l being preferably covered with a somewhat exible material 48, such as leather. The said member 48 engages the conical surface in a tangent manner so that the upper surface of the member 45 will terminate in the conical surface as the tangent of a curve.

The outer edge of the member 46 is provided with a series of notches 49 designed to receive a spring actuated pawl 50 for locking the member 46 in various adjusted positions.

A spring 5| is provided between the inner end of the member 46 and the upper end of the groove 44 to provide means for moving the free end of the member 41 upwardly when the pawl 50 disengages the notches 49, the pawl 56 having a rearwardly and downwardly extending handle portion 52, by means of which the pawl may be easily released.

Slidably mounted in the rabbet 37 is what I shall term a toe plate 53, having the same general outline as the upper surface of the toe portion of the body 32, said plate having a groove 54 for receiving a screw 55, by means of which the said plate is slidably supported in the rabbet.

A groove 56 is also provided for receiving a screw 5'! in the toe end of the member 32. 'Ihis also serves as av guide to said plate. The plate 53 isv provided with a downwardly extending lug 51a designed to be hooked toy the rear end of the spring 43 so that the said spring 43 will serve to yieldingly maintain the plate 53 at its forward limit of movement, the inner edge of the plate 53 being provided With a downwardly extending wing 58 designed to rest against the inner face of 75 the member 32 and within the notched or rabbeted portion 59.

The wing 58 is provided with a slot 68 for receiving a screw 6| which also assists in holding the plate 54 in proper alinement with the body member.

The rear end of the plate 53 is provided with a flexible member 62 designed to slide in an arcuate slot 63 formed in the body member 32 and terminating near the central portion of the conical surface of the ball portion 38, the slot 83 also being inclined substantially parallel with the conical surface, as illustrated in Figure 10, the slot 63 beginning in the forward end of the ball portion 38 and tangentally of the surface 31.

By this arrangement it will be seen that the forward end of the ball portion 38 terminates in a taper, the upper surface of the ball portion 38 also always being tangent with the upper surface of the member 62, regardless of the longitudinal position of the plate 53.

By this arrangement it will also be seen that the spring 42 will maintain the plate 53 at its forward limit of movement, with the rear end of the member 82 just entering the slot 63.

It will also be seen that if rearward pressure is applied to the pointed end of the member 53 it will move rearwardly and cause the entire upper surface of the last to be shortened, the member 62 being telescopically received within the slot 63. This member 62 is preferably formed of leather which may be secured to the plate 53 by suitable rivets er other fastening means.

A cover plate 64 is provided for the plate 53 to cover the slots 54 and 56, said cover plate being secured in position by suitable rivets 65, the upper surface of the cover plate being even with the upper surface of the member 62, as clearly shown in Figure 1.

The lower edge of the wing 58 serves to engage the toe portion of the shoe and to support the shoe in the proper shape at the time the half sole is being applied to the lasted upper.

In the construction above described it will readily be seen that the upper surface of the last, together with the upper surface of the shank support, forms a continuous and comparatively smooth surface, regardless of whether or not the toe portion is in its extended position or in its inner position of movement, and regardless of the inclination of the member 41. This provides a substantial support for the shoe while being half soled.

In applying the shoe to the last the last sections are grasped by one hand of the operator and squeezed inwardly toward each other, after which the shoe is placed in position. The sections are then released, the spring 34 serving to expand them to fit the width of the shoe, while the springs 42 tend to move the toe members forwardly and thus automatically adjust the length of the last. The free end of the member 41 is moved downwardly to its lower limit of movement before the shoe is applied. The free end of the handle bar 52 is then actuated, causing the pawl 50 to release the notches 49, after which the members 41 automatically adjust themselves tothe inner surface of the shank portion of the shoe.

For applying pressure to a half sole after it hasbeen applied to the lasted upper, I have provided the following mechanism:

Pivotally mounted on each end of the shaft 23, I have provided a frame member 66 having divergent arms 61, the ends of which are each provided with a slot 68. Supported between each set of arms 61, I have provided what I shall term a pressure applying frame 69, having inwardly extending lugs 18 for receiving pins 1I entering the slot 68, the said frame 69 being yieldably supported at its inner position of movement by means of springs 12 and 13, the spring 13 being somewhat larger than the spring 12. The rear end of the frame 69 is pivotally connected to a frame member 14 by means of pivots 15. Both of the frame members 69 and 14 are covered with a layer of flexible material 16, such as leather, the side edges of the member 16 being secured to the side members of the said frames by means of rivets 11, while the ends of the member 16 are unsupported. The member 16 is provided with notches 18 opposite the pivot members 15, so that the hinged portion of the member 16 is more flexible than it would otherwise be.

The under surface of the back end of the ilexible member 16 is provided with a second layer of flexible material 19, the inner edges of the member 19 being tapered at 80, so that the under surface of the member 16 covering the frame member 14 is curved to better t the ball portion of the sole as pressure is applied.

A bracket 8l is pivotally connected to the free end of each of the side members of the frame 14, each of the said brackets having a laterally extended portion 82 provided with a suitable opening through which a rod 83 is slidably mounted, the inner end of the rod 83 being pivotally connected to a rock arm 84 carried by the sha'ft 23, the outer end of the rod 83 being screw threaded and p-rovided with thumb nut 85 designed to engage the outer end of a spring 86 having its inner end resting on the member 82.

By this arrangement it will be seen that the frame members 89 and 14 may be swung from the position illustrated in Figure 1 to the posi tion illustrated in Figure 3, about the shaft 23, with a portion of the member 16 above the sole, while the back end of the member 16 rests above the shank of the shoe. The bar I3 being at its lower limit of movement when the pressure applying means is swung into operative position, there is a considerable amount of clearance between the shoe and the pressure member 16.

For supporting the half sole in position in prop- 'r er alinement with the lasted upper of the shoe I have provided a plate 81, the lower end of which is detachably supported in the socket 21. The upper end of the member 81 is pivotally connected to one end of a bar 88, having nail receiving openings 88. The side edges of the bar 88 are provided with a number of laterally and forwardly extending members 98 formed of spring wire, having their extreme ends pro-vided with downwardly extending portions 9| for engaging the side edges of the half sole 93, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6.

In operation, after the shoe has been placed on the last in the manner illustrated in dotted lines in Figure l and in the manner before described, the half sole is then cut and shaped to fit the lasted upper of the shoe, a portion of the half sole also being shaped to fit the shank of the shoe. The member 88 is then placed in position on top of the half sole and the spring wires 98 clamped in position. The sole may be further secured to the member 88 by short nails driven into the sole through the opening 89, if so desired, said nails being removed at the time the bar 88 is detached from the sole. The free end ofthe member 88 may then be elevated and swung forwardly, after which the inner surface of the half sole may be treated with a layer of cement, and also the upper surface of the lasted upper of the shoe and the shank portion. The cement is then allowed to dry a short time, after 'which said surfaces are then treated with a solvent to produce a sticky condition. The member 83 is then lowered into position and into exact alinernent with the lasted upper as previously placed. The frame member G9 is then elevated to position above the member 88 and the shoe. The operator then grasps the lever 24 and rotates it in a clockwise direction, as illustrated in Figure 3, causing the bar i3 to be elevated until the upper surface of the member 88 and the half sole engage the under surface of the forward end of the member 76. Further movement of the lever is then continued causing pressure tol be applied to the member 'F6 against the action of the springs l2 and i3. After the desired pressure has been obtained the bar i3 is locked in its upper position by the pawl I5. The arm 24 is then rotated in a counter clockwise direction, causing the rock arms 84 to be rotated in a counter clockwise direction and tension to be applied to the rods S3, which in turn will cause tension to be applied to the free end of the frame 'M and the rear end of the member '16, causing the rear end of the half sole to be folded down snugly around the outer surface of the shank portion of the shoe sole. The frame member is locked in this position by means of a pawl $2 designed to engage the teeth of the pinion 22. The press may then be allowed to stand for the desired time until the cement sets, after which the latch 92 may be released and also the pawl i5 by means of the lever i3. This will then permit the bar i3 to be lowered and pressure released fromthe member 16.

Considerable advantage is gained in providing the open frame members B and "M, together with the flexible strip l5, said strip 'i6 being supported at each of its side edges with the strip lying transversely across the top of the half sole. By this arrangement it will be seen that the greatest tension is applied along the side ed-ges of the last whe-re the cement is applied, no cement being usually applied to the central portion of the half sole.

By providing the notches 'i8 in the flexible member H5 the side edges of the back end of the member 'i6 will more readily fold over the side edges of the shank portion of the sole as pressure is being applied.

Referring to Figure l2 it will be seen that the back end of the flexble member 62 projects outwardly of the outer surface of the body member 32, the back end of the member 62 beng substantially the same width as its forward end.

By this arrangement the full width of the central portion of the last may be provided when the toe member' is at its forward position of movement, as illustrated in the dotted lines in Figure l2. This outwardly extending end does not hinder in applying pressure to the outer edge of the sole, inasmuch as said outwardly extending portion engages the side of the shoe at a point a considerable distance from the sole.

Thus, it will be seen that I have provided a shoe press which is of comparatively simple and inexpensive construction and rigidly built so as to stand a large amount of wear without getting out of order, and so constructed that a large amount of time is saved in eliminatingthe necessity of having to ind a new last each time a shoe is placed in position for repair.

Furthermore, the shoe is placed in an inverted position so that the half sole being applied is clearly visible and may be quickly and easily alined with the lasted upper.

Means is also provided whereby the half sole will be rigidly held in position while pressure is being applied, to avoid skidding of the half sole relative to the shoe.

It will further be seen that pressure is applied to the side edges of the flexible pressure member at substantially six points. Each of the tension devices is yieldable so that the half sole will fit any slight variation in the surface of the shoe. rThis provides means whereby a comparatively uniform pressure may also be applied to the half sole, the spring 13 being made larger than the spring l2 simply because the back portion of the half sole is of larger area than the area of the forward portion of the sole.

claim as my invention:

l. In a device of the class described, a last comprising longitudinal sections, each of said sections being adjustable as to length; means for supporting each section to swing about a vertical pivot; means for pivotally supporting each of said pivots whereby the sections of said last may be moved toward and from each other; yieldable means supported between the sections of said last to maintain them in their separated positions; and means for limiting the outward movement of said sections.

2. In a device of the class described, a last comprising longitudinal sections, each of said sections being adjustable as to length; a shank support pivotally connected to the back end of each of said sections; means for supporting each section to swing about a vertical pivot; means for pivotally supporting each of said pivots whereby the sections may be moved toward and from each other; and yieldable means supported lbetween .the sections to maintain them in their separated positions.

3. A shoe last comprising separated longitudinal sections, eachof said sections being adjustable as to length; a shank support pivotally connected to the back end of each of said sections; means for adjusting the angle of said shank support relative to the upper face of said last; means for supporting the sections of said last to move toward and from each other; means for yieldably supporting said sections in separated positions; and means for pivotally connecting each of said sections to its supporting means to swing about a vertical axis.

4. In a device of the class described, a last comprising longitudinal sections, each of said sections being adjustable as to length; means for supporting each section to swing about a vertical pivot; means for pivotally supporting each of said Vpivots whereby the sections of said last may be moved toward and from each other; and yieldable means supported between the sections of said last to maintain them in their separated positions.

5. In a shoe last, a body member comprising right and left sections, each section comprising a body member having a rabbeted surface, the back end of said body heaving a ball portion terminating in a somewhat conical surface, said body having an arcuate slot the outer end of which terminates in the forward edge of said ball portion and tangentially of the rabbeted surface; a

toe member slidingly mounted on the rabbeted surface to move toward and from the ball portion, the rear end of said toe member terminating in a flexible portion slidably mounted in said arcuate slot; a rearwardly extending shank support pivoted to said body to swing around the center of said conical surface; means for locking the shank support at various inclined positions; means movably supporting said sections to permit them to move toward and from each other; yieldable means tending to separate said sections; and yieldable means tending to move said toe members away from the ball portions.

6. In a shoe last, a body member comprising right and left sections, each section comprising a body member having a rabbeted surface, the back end of said body having a ball portion terminating in a somewhat conical surface, said body having an arcuate slot the outer end of which terminates in the forward edge of said ball portion and tangentially of the rabbeted surface; a toe member slidingly mounted on the rabbeted surface to move toward and from the ball portion, the rear end of said toe member terminating in a flexible portion slidably mounted in said arcuate slot; arearwardly extending shank support pivoted to said body to swing around the center of said conical surface, the inner end of the support terminating tangentially of said conical surface; means for locking the shank support at various inclined positions; means movably supporting said sections to permit them to move toward and from each other; means pivoting said sections to said supporting means to swing about vertical axes; yieldable means tending to separate said sections; and yieldable means tending to move said toe members away from their respective ball portions.

7. In a shoe last, a body member comprising right and left sections, each section comprising a body member having a rabbeted surface, the back end of said body having a ball portion, said body having an arcuate slot the upper end of which terminates in the forward edge of said ball portion and tangentially of the rabbeted surface; a toe member slidably mounted on the rabbeted surface to move toward and from the ball portion, the rear end of said toe member terminating in a flexible portion slidably mounted in said arcuate slot; means movably supporting said sections to permit them to move toward and from each other; yieldable means tending to separate said sections; and yieldable means tending to move said toe members away from their respective ball portions.

8. A last comprising, in combination, longitudinal sections, each section including toe and ball portions, each section being adjustable as to length between its ball and toe portions; means for supporting said sections to move toward and from each other; and a shank support adjoining each ball portion.

9. A last comprising, in combination, longitudinal sections, each section including toe and ball portions, each section being adjustable as to length between its ball and toe portions; means for supporting said sections to move toward and from each other; a shank support adjustably connected to each ball portion; and means for locking said shank support in various adjusted positions.

10. In a device of the class described, a last comprising longitudinal sections, each of said sections being adjustable as to length; means for supporting each section to swing about a vertical pivot; and means for pivotally supporting each of said pivots whereby the sections of said last may be moved toward and from each other.

11. A shoe last comprising, in combination, right and left sections, each section including a ball portion at its back end, each section having.r an arcuate slot the upper end of which terminates in the forward edge of said ball portion and tangentially of the upper surface of said section; a toe member slidably mounted on the upper surface of said section to move toward and from the ball portion, the rear end of said toe portion terminating in a flexible portion slidably mounted in said arcuate slot; and means movably supporting said sections to permit them to move toward and from each other.

12. A shoe last comprising, in combination, right and left sections, each section including ball and toe portions, the ball portion having an upwardly and forwardly inclined slot terminating in the forward edge of said ball portion, the toe portion being mounted to move toward and from the ball portion and having its back edge provided with a flexible member slidably mounted.` in said slot whereby the areas of the upper surfaces of the sections may be increased or decreased by moving the toe portions thereon toward the ball portion, or vice versa; and means for mounting said sections to move toward and from each other.

13. A shoe last comprising in combination a section including a ball and toe portion, the ball portion having an upwardly and forwardly inclined slot terminating in the forward edge of said ball portion, the toe portion being mounted to move forwardly and from the ball portion, and having its back edge provided with a'ilexible member slidably mounted in said slot whereby the area of the upper surface of said section may be increased or decreased by moving the toe portion thereon towards the ball portion, or vice versa.

14. A shoe last comprising in combination a section including a ball and toe portion, the ball portion having an upwardly and forwardly inclined slot terminating in the forward edge of said ball portion, the toe portion being mounted to move forwardly and from the ball portion, and having its back edge provided with a ilexible member slidably mounted in said slot whereby the area of the upper surface of said section may be increased or decreased by moving the toe portion thereon towards the ball portion or vice versa; a shank support adjustably connected to each ball portion; and means for locking said shank support in various. adjusted positions.

15. In a device of the class described, a last comprising longitudinal sections, each of said sections being adjustable as to length; means for supporting said sections to move toward and from each other; yieldable means for normally maintaining said sections elongated; and means for yieldably maintaining the sections in normal separated positions whereby the last will be automatically adjusted as to length and width to fit the shoe as the shoe is placed in position therein.

GUY O. BAKER. 

